The Essential Foaling Kit for the First-Time Mare Owner

 a 1/8th cup measuring cup that has a handle on it.

Foal Enema

Many foals require an enema to assist them in expelling meconium—that dark-colored goop that collects in the foal's intestinal tract as they develop. In my own desert climate, a constipated foal can go downhill

 quickly in the heat and an enema is often standard procedure. Pick up a box of pre-packaged enemas, readily available at your local drugstore. You can also make your own enema solution and use dosage syringes and rubber tubing, but why go to the trouble when you can easily prepare in advance with a proper enema? They're inexpensive, safe,

 and effective.

Veterinary Thermometer

My veterinarian once expressed surprised dismay at how few of his clients have a simple veterinary thermometer on hand. Not only will that thermometer come in handy if you're taking your mare's

 temperature daily to predict her foaling date, but if your mare or foal has complications, you may need to report the temperature to your veterinarian. (Incidentally, a foal's temperature at birth may be as low as 98.6º, but should be at 100.4º within an hour.)

If you have the glass-and-mercury type of thermometer, tie a small string through the hole and attach an alligator clamp (or binder clip) to the end of the string. Attach the clamp to the horse's tail hairs when